Sensex up 29 pts, ITC edges higher

The Sensex has gained 29 points to 6,494 on extended buying in select heavyweights. Most of the counters, however, are still trading in a narrow range. The Nifty has added eight points to 2,033.

ITC has scaled up 1.72% (Rs 24) to Rs 1,426. While HLL is up 1.73% (Rs 2) at Rs 135, ONGC is up a rupee at Rs 885 after early weakness.

HDFC Bank at Rs 568 (up Rs 10 or 1.82%), ICICI Bank at Rs 411 (up Rs 3) and SBI at Rs 649 (up Rs 3) are holding on to their gains.

Gujarat Ambuja has gained 5.80% (Rs 24) to Rs 429 on reports of consideration of stock split and bonus issues by the company. Grasim and ACC are unchanged with a per cent gain each at Rs 1,213 (up Rs 13) and Rs 366 (up Rs 4), respectively.

BHEL has moved up 1.41% (Rs 11) to Rs 803. While HDFC is up 1.68% (Rs 12) at Rs 722, HPCL is steady at Rs 327 - up Rs 4. L&T is up a per cent (Rs 10) at Rs 976. Zee, however, has declined nearly 2% (Rs 3) to Rs 135.

Infosys is subdued with a per cent loss (Rs 13) at Rs 2,105. Satyam, too, is trading weak at Rs 408 - down Rs 2.

Hero Honda has edged lower by 1.64% (Rs 9) to Rs 517. Other auto stocks, too, are largely exhibting weak trends.